Postgraduate Diploma

Humans depend on and live near their livestock. However, the interface between livestock and wildlife is often blurred, leading to complex challenges. This programme addresses the need to integrate studies of disease in wildlife, livestock and human populations with concepts of genetics, veterinary public health, livestock production and wildlife management.

Ranked 1st in the UK for Animal Science (Sunday Times 2018), our Wildlife and Livestock Management PgDip closely examines the often-conflicting needs of land users. The solution involves obtaining balanced input from land users, lobby groups, NGOs, government organisations, corporations and service providers.

This online programme provides a rigorous theoretical background to understanding practical causes of land-use conflicts involving livestock, wildlife and other drivers. You will study at an internationally recognised centre of excellence, working with world-leading researchers in animal science, ecology and conservation.

Recognised authorities contribute to the online postgraduate diploma from their home countries, including South Africa, Botswana, USA, Brazil, India and Australia. Throughout the programme, you will gain a valuable understanding of the complex drivers of animal management. You will also develop analytical and practical skills, while learning to construct well-founded, practical solutions to animal management issues.

Our PgDip is unique in its approach to the One Health concept because the programme includes environment and land management, both of which are major drivers of the health of wildlife, livestock and the humans that depend on them. A distinctive component of the programme is the chance to consolidate theoretical knowledge through practical experience including a self-funded two week field exercise trip to Sub-Saharan Africa lead by expert conservationists.

PROGRAMME OUTCOMES

Discuss and evaluate literature on infectious diseases of animals and humans

Evaluate ecosystem biodiversity, health and suitability for livestock production

Analyse veterinary public health services including food safety, disease management, regulation of slaughter and processing, international trade in animal products and veterinary services

Appraise systems of livestock production in relation to ecosystem health, animal welfare, society and economic factors

Formulate and justify plans for wildlife capture and immobilisation for various wildlife species, including application in the field

Critically appraise strategies for the genetic management of animals, including the maintenance of variation among individuals, selection and breeding of livestock, forensic investigation and the breeding management of captive and isolated or small populations

Plan and justify a course of action required to achieve self-defined goals in an open-ended wildlife and livestock management project

Discuss scientific results, and research or clinical information, with reference to the literature, in order to draw valid scientific conclusions

Apply and critically appraise experimental design, power analysis, data collection/handling and statistical analyses techniques in a research context using a range of standard computer software

Integration of ecological disciplines with studies of disease in wildlife, livestock and human populations with basic concepts of land management, livestock production and wildlife management

CAREER OUTLOOK

This programme is an ideal way to broaden your knowledge and skills to improve your employability in organisations that have a mandate to provide services to diverse stakeholders in complex systems.

Veterinarians in government agencies with wide-ranging responsibilities, in conservation organisations and in NGOs, will find this programme particularly useful. Similarly, conservation biologists who have little or no familiarity with livestock production or animal health will benefit.

Contact Us

Email us at: mvls-wlm@glasgow.ac.uk

Why Glasgow?

Ranked 1st in the Russell Group for teaching - National Student Survey 2018

Ranked in the top 100 of the world's universities - QS World University Rankings 2019

Ranked 1st in the UK for Animal Science (Sunday Times 2018)

Meet Our Faculty

Dr Karen MacEachern

Lecturer

Dr MacEachern is a veterinary surgeon with research interests in biodiversity and conservation. She runs several courses within the MSc programme as well as the in BVMS and BSc in Veterinary Bioscience programmes at the University of Glasgow.

Testimonial

Aimee Walker, 2018 Graduate

“I have loved my time as a student at the University of Glasgow. Studying on the Wildlife and Livestock Management course was a fantastic experience. I have really enjoyed the range of modules covered throughout the course, and found the content and assignments to be particularly engaging. The delivery of the material and commitment from lecturers has been excellent, and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the course.”

Courses

During this programme, you will take five compulsory courses (100 credits). You will also choose from a combination of optional courses to make up a further 20 credits.

Programme alteration or discontinuation The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student Contract

Compulsory

BIOL5264Wildlife Management in Zoos and Wildlife Parks20 Credits

This course addresses the management of wildlife species in zoological collections on a small to moderate spatial scale. The course focuses on a range of collections, from small collections of exotic species through to public collections in zoological parks and gardens, as well as wildlife parks and game ranches.

BIOL5269Ecological Principles20 Credits

This course focuses on the development of analytical tools for ecology, including measurement of biodiversity, assessment of ecosystem health, and concepts of ecosystem health. It will ensure a firm foundation in terminology and methods of quantification for field exercises later in the programme.

BIOL5270Genetics for Animal Management20 Credits

During this course, you’ll examine the underlying genetic basis of adaptation to the environment, and investigate genetic tools for animal management. The course includes examples of studies on the effects of extreme environments on production and reproduction of livestock, and the physiological adaptations of wildlife to harsh environments.

BIOL5274Pathogens and Disease10 Credits

You’ll be introduced to pathogen biology, disease transmission and epidemiology using specific examples drawn from the systems to be studied in subsequent field work (i.e. Southern Africa and Latin America). This is a foundation course to enable interpretation of subsequent ecosystem-specific information.

BIOL5275Veterinary Public Health and Service Delivery20 Credits

This course addresses the One Health paradigm and will introduce concepts of veterinary public health including food safety, notifiable diseases, risk assessment, regulation of slaughter, processing of livestock and game, international trade in animal products and delivery of veterinary services.

BIOL5277Wildlife and Livestock Management20 Credits

During this course, you will examine the management of wildlife and livestock, including domestication, the concept of production animals, animal husbandry, wildlife management in zoos and wildlife reserves. You’ll examine the essential elements of resource allocation and competition, land-use business models, land tenure systems and human–wildlife conflict.

Optional

Regardless of how remote they might seem, all wildlife populations are subject to human influence, through fragmentation, modification and reduction in scale of natural range. Humans around the world are dependent on and live in close proximity with their livestock and the interfaces of livestock with wildlife are very permeable and complex. Increasing recognition of this interdependence has led to the widespread adoption of the “One Health” concept. This course addresses a need to integrate ecological disciplines with studies of disease in wildlife, livestock and human populations with basic concepts of land management, livestock production and wildlife management. It provides real-life context for materials delivered in the (WLM) BIOL5277 Wildlife and Livestock Management, BIOL5269 Ecological Principals and BIOL5270 Environment, Physiology and Genetics.

BIOL5274Pathogens and Disease10 Credits

You’ll be introduced to pathogen biology, disease transmission and epidemiology using specific examples drawn from the systems to be studied in subsequent field work (i.e. Southern Africa and Latin America). This is a foundation course to enable interpretation of subsequent ecosystem-specific information.

BIOL5306Human Wildlife Conflict20 Credits

The course aims to provide a sound understanding of the common causes of economically or socially significant human-wildlife conflict and environmentally, economically and socially appropriate strategies for addressing these problems.This course examines cases of human-wildlife conflict in detail, with a view to identifying its causes and possible solutions. Cases will be drawn from European, American and African contexts.

Admissions Requirements

To be accepted to this programme, you must have:

Diploma and professional/employment experience as deemed appropriate by the programme coordinator

If English is not your first language, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. This is an IELTS overall score of 6.5 with no sub-test less than 6. If you do not have an IELTS test certificate, equivalent scores in other recognised qualifications may be accepted

To apply to this programme:

You must apply online. As part of your online application, you need to submit the following:

A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s), if you have already completed your degree

A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained

Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)

One reference letter on headed paper

Evidence of your English Language ability (if your first language is not English)

Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)

Please check you meet the entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.

You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process. You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents, such as your final transcript or your language test.

Tuition & Fees

Home/EU: £10,000*

International: £10,000*

*Total cost, incremental payment schedule available. Fee information is subject to change and is for guidance only.How much does the programme cost?Part-time fees 1,667 per 20 creditsCan I get help to fund my studies?You may be eligible for help with the cost of the programme.

What it's like to study online

100% online for complete flexibility

Our part-time online programmes are ideal if you're working full-time or have family commitments.

Connect to campus from anywhere

All you need for our online programmes is a device with internet access.

Gain a global perspective

As an online student, you'll be part of an international community of academics and learners.

Learn from the experts

Our world-class teaching and research staff will help you realise your potential.

Interact with everyone

Community building and collaborative learning is a key focus of our online programmes.

Access a multitude of resources

Study using a range of materials, including recorded lectures, live seminars, videos, interactive quizzes, journal articles and ebooks.

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